Op Koers Online for parents in pediatric oncology

RATIONALE Childhood cancer in the family is stressful for all family members and has long-term consequences for the patients as well as their parents and siblings, including the risk of developing psychosocial problems. The standards of psychosocial care for parents of children with cancer state that access to appropriate interventions for parents and caregivers should be facilitated to optimize parent, child, and family wellbeing. Evidence-based interventions targeted at parents of children with cancer are needed. OBJECTIVE The present study aims to evaluate efficacy and feasibility of a cognitive behavioral-based online group intervention that focuses on the specific issues that play a role in parents coping with a child with cancer. The intervention, led by psychologists, aims to improve psychosocial wellbeing and to prevent psychosocial problems by improving coping skills. STUDY DESIGN A Randomized Controlled Trial (RCT) with two conditions (Intervention and Waitlist-control) is proposed to assess the efficacy of the online intervention. Feasibility of the intervention will be assessed cross-sectionally. STUDY POPULATION Parents are eligible if their child is diagnosed with any cancer at the age of 0-18 years, is within 5 years from diagnosis, and is still living with their parents at the time of recruitment. INTERVENTION The intervention under study is Op Koers Online for parents in pediatric oncology. The main goal of the intervention is to improve psychosocial wellbeing and to prevent psychosocial problems by teaching active use of coping skills. To teach coping skills, cognitive behavioral techniques and acceptance and commitment techniques are used. The intervention consists of protocolled chat sessions with three to six parents under supervision of trained course leaders (psychologist with an assistant).

The present study aims to evaluate efficacy and feasibility of an online group intervention for parents of children with cancer that focuses on the specific issues that play a role in parents coping with a child with cancer. Hypothesis: Participants in the intervention group have better coping skills and better psychosocial functioning than participants in the control group, at T1 and T2.

T0 (before intervention), T1 (directly after intervention 6-8 weeks after T0), T2 (six months after T0). The intervention condition will have an additional measurement at T3 (one year after T0).

The intervention under study is Op Koers Online for parents in pediatric oncology. The main goal of the intervention is to improve psychosocial wellbeing and to prevent psychosocial problems by teaching active use of coping skills. To teach coping skills, cognitive behavioral techniques and acceptance and commitment techniques are used. The intervention consists of protocolled chat sessions with three to six parents under supervision of trained course leaders (psychologist with an assistant).